Benjamin first started attending Rutgers University in 2008 after graduating high school but stopped going and took on a full-time job.

Benjamin’s father emigrated to the U.S. from Haiti in 1983 and hadn’t gotten a high school diploma. But he eventually made the decision to get his education and by 2007, he began taking classes to get his associate’s degree.

“He was taking one class at a time because he was working a full-time job and taking care of my grandmother,” Benjamin said.

In 2013, Duvinson graduated with his associate’s degree and retired, deciding to go back to school full time and get a bachelor’s degree.

Benjamin said seeing his dad work hard to get his education eventually inspired him to go back to school himself.

The father and son ended up going to the same school because it’s close to their home, Benjamin said.

Benjamin studied psychology while his dad studied finance so they rarely ever saw each other on campus, but the experience still brought them closer.

“He was my biggest cheerleader and inspiration. There were sometimes I’d come home from work or class late and I’d see him studying and it would encourage me,” Benjamin said. “Seeing him walk across the stage and get his diploma was indescribable.”